Cartier Tortue à Pattes monopusher chronograph, 20s
Cartier Tortue à Pattes monopusher chronograph, 20s
18k gold tonneau case, n.31453-20950, monopusher activated by the crown. Cream coloured dial, painted roman numerals. Hand-winding movement, signed European Watch & Clock Co.. Leather strap and Cartier gold deployant buckle stamped 15703. Size: 35 x 27 mm.
Notes: The Tortue à Pattes watch was designed by Louis Cartier in 1912, even earlier than the Tank, and is one of the rarest Cartier’s golden age designs from the 20s. The shape of the case was made to resemble a turtle, a very popular animal during that era, and symbol of good luck and longevity. The first models were destined for ladies, while the gentlemen version featuring a monopusher chronograph was introduced in 1928, for an overall production of less than twenty examples. The movements -that allow to operate the start, stop and return-to-zero functions coaxially via the winding crown only- were made by the European Watch & Clock Co., the company formed with Edward Jaeger (of Jaeger-LeCoultre) to make calibers specifically for Cartier. To the best of our knowledge the present watch is one of the less than ten specimens of the Tortue à Pattes chronograph to ever be offered at auction.
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Cartier Tortue à Pattes monopusher chronograph, 20s
18k gold tonneau case, n.31453-20950, monopusher activated by the crown. Cream coloured dial, painted roman numerals. Hand-winding movement, signed European Watch & Clock Co.. Leather strap and Cartier gold deployant buckle stamped 15703. Size: 35 x 27 mm.
Notes: The Tortue à Pattes watch was designed by Louis Cartier in 1912, even earlier than the Tank, and is one of the rarest Cartier’s golden age designs from the 20s. The shape of the case was made to resemble a turtle, a very popular animal during that era, and symbol of good luck and longevity. The first models were destined for ladies, while the gentlemen version featuring a monopusher chronograph was introduced in 1928, for an overall production of less than twenty examples. The movements -that allow to operate the start, stop and return-to-zero functions coaxially via the winding crown only- were made by the European Watch & Clock Co., the company formed with Edward Jaeger (of Jaeger-LeCoultre) to make calibers specifically for Cartier. To the best of our knowledge the present watch is one of the less than ten specimens of the Tortue à Pattes chronograph to ever be offered at auction.
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